BEST/WORST LIST FOR 2011

We thought it would be fun to make an annual list of our favorite (and least favorite) experiences we have had during the year. Even though we are a bit late for last year, we would like to introduce the winners of.... 

Sally and Richard’s Best/Worst List for 2011:

Best beach/island experience- Poyalisa, Sulawesi

Best Buddhist monument- Bagan, Burma

Best Muslim monument- Ubadiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia

Best colonial architecture- Rangoon, Burma

Most atmospheric ruins- Phanom Sampeau, Battambang, Cambodia

Best village architecture- Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi

Best festival- Songkran, Nan, Thailand

Coldest weather- British Colombia, Canada

Hottest weather- Burma

Most rain- Rantepao, Sulawesi

Best wildlife experience- Tie- bears, British Colombia, Canada; bat cave, Loei, Thailand

Best western food- Tie- Cambodia and Canada

Best seafood- Poyalisa, Sulawesi

Best local food- Malaysia

Best overall food- Ko Fruitopia, Thailand

Most unusual “sight”- Tie- Phallic garden, Bangkok, Thailand and graves, Tanah Toraja, Sulawesi

Cleanest guesthouse/hotel- Tie- Swallow Guesthouse, Krabi and Sugar Guesthouse, Loei, Thailand

Homiest guesthouse/hotel- Birdnest, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia

Best value guesthouse/hotel- Star Hotel, Battambang, Cambodia

Best social guesthouse/hotel- Tie- Ko Fruitopia; Eden Bungalow, Ko Chang; Birdnest, Kuala Lumpar

Worst guesthouse- Ramayana Hotel, Luwuk, Sulawesi

Cheapest guesthouse/hotel- Tie- Blissful Guesthouse, Kampot, Cambodia; Eden Bungalow, Ko Chang, 

Thailand ; Pop Guesthouse, Trat, Thailand ($5)

Most expensive guesthouse/hotel- May Guesthouse, Inle lake, Burma ($15)

Best bike ride - Bagan, Burma

Best hike- Tie, Tentena, Sulawesi and Kalaw, Burma

Best museum- Islamic Arts Museum, Kuala Lumpar

Best market- Kampot, Cambodia

Best snorkelling- Poyalisa, Sulawesi

Friendliest people- Eastern Sulawesi

Best boat trip- Tie- Bangaii to Luwuk, Sulawesi; Inle Lake, Burma

Best motorbike ride- around Loei, Thailand

Most scenic road trip- Luwuk to Ampana, Sulawesi

Best public transport- Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia

Worst road- Poso to Tentana, Sulawesi

Scariest flight- Vancouver to Trail, Canada

^{Stay tune for our proper blog post with more news from the past couple of months very soon.....}